7 - THE COLDMOON FESTIVAL

RYAN'S POV

I stood by the window of my study, and hummed ceremoniously, as I watched the maids and soldiers get busy arranging the castle for festivities later tonight. It was the cold moon festival today, and the pack members were all in good spirits. They were always in good spirits by this time of the year. I felt a familiar pang of pain overwhelm me, the moment I realized that this was the first cold moon festival without my parents.

"Ryan!" I looked towards the door, to see Ralia beaming with so much happiness. "The royal carriage is here!"

Oh wow! I didn't think they were going to get here so fast. The journey from the palace to our pack, was half a day's ride atleast.

"Come welcome them already!" Ralia beckoned, and I stepped away from the window. Together, we both made our way through the busy castle, and I kinda lost her in the midst of the chaos. Nonetheless, I continued on my way to welcome the crown prince. I walked through the doors of the castle and stood in wait, as royal beta Justin and the king......? Wasn't it supposed to be crown prince Logan and princess Layla? I tried to hide my disappointment, and wore a bright look. Moreover, it was always an honor to have the king of the werewolf kingdom here.

"Ahhhh, Ryan!" King Xavier smiled widely, as he walked up to me and opened his arms for a fatherly embrace. I found myself genuinely smiling, and quickly accepting his gesture. Regardless of the fact that I had hoped for his children to have come, I appreciated his presence. He had been of great support to me, when I had lost my parents, and has really shown he was a true friend of theirs.

"Ryan!" I heard Beta Justin chuckle happily, as he ambushed me with his embrace. "Our Hybrid Alpha of the cold moon pack." He proudly praised.

"First of his kind. In centuries, at least." King Xavier quickly added. For a moment, I felt normal and admired. The king and his beta thought I was a magnificent creature, and it made me feel so good. For over a year since I had my first shift, I had been extremely careful, as not to cause any havoc. The elders of the witch council had come to the conclusion that I was an imbalance of nature and thus, a threat to the safety of others. Because of that, I tried my best to withhold my beast from coming forth regularly. The only time I shifted without worry, was during rogue attacks.

Luckily, ever since I became alpha, the number of rogue attacks have drastically reduced. It felt good to know that my nature had been of great help in ensuring the security of my pack. Most of all, I was slowly regaining the trust of my pack members, after my parents had lost it through their deceit. Nothing felt as good as that.

"So, Alpha Ryan of the cold moon pack....." King Xavier dramatically cleared his throat. "We have come for the cold moon festival." He whispered, making me smile widely. It made me remember my childhood with his children.

The cold moon festival used to be our favourite event of the year. The Alpha king had been a great friend of my parents and in extension, his children became best of friends with Ralia and I. In the past years, they traveled to our pack just to physically witness the coldmoon festival.

"How are the crown prince and princess Layla doing?" I couldn't help but ask.

"Ohhh..." King Xavier grinned. "They are well. And they sent you letters, since they couldn't make it here physically."

I was so tempted to enquire the reason as to why they couldn't make it here, but refrained fron doing so, in order not to seem so needy. I watched as he put his hand into his robe, and brought out two pieces of papers tied together with a thin blue ribbon.

"They had insisted I delivered this personally to you." He chuckled, and I could feel my heart soften. They may have not been able to make it here, but their gesture of sending the letters was very much appreciated.

"Thank you, your majesty." I muttered after stretching forth my hand and collecting the letters.

"Alright then!" He sighed tiredly. "Show us to our rooms already, some rest would do me good."

"Of course, your majesty." I gave a bow, and signaled for them to walk with me.

I had successfully shown them to their rooms, and then returned to my study to wrap up a few stuffs, before night fell. While at it, I couldn't help but wonder when she was going to come forth. I had waited for her, for over a year now. The witches said she was going to be an anchor for my energy, and I couldn't wait for her to bring me such relief. I couldn't wait to find my mate.

******

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I could hear the loud cheers from my chambers, and I released a tired sigh. Yes, I was tired already, even before the night began. I knew that at the end of the festivities tonight, I would be completely exhausted. The door to my chambers opened, and I turned to see it was Aliya, one of the maids.

"I'm sorry for not knocking, Alpha. I was just in a hurry." She rushed out, wringing her fingers in a mix of worry, and what I recognized as......

"Aliya...." I muttered, unsure of what I really wanted to say to her in that moment.

I guess I was just very surprised and confused, in regards to this new development. The fact that she was currently batting her lashes at me, didn't help matters. Since when.....? Aliya was one of the few maids that I could strike random conversations with, once in a while. She just didn't seem like the kind of girl who would try to seduce me.

"His majesty; the king, and royal beta Justin, are already out for the celebrations." She said, cutting my thoughts short. "Your sister asked me to inform you."

"Hmm!" I nodded, suddenly feeling awkward because of her presence. "Thank you. I would be down shortly."

"Yes, Alpha." She responded, but didn't move from her position.

"You can leave now." I managed, feeling quite embarrassed. She gave a sleazy smile that made sweat break out on my neck, before walking away. I guess I felt a little pissed over her audacity, but then, she wasn't going to be the first servant or woman, that fancied me. A couple others have also tried to catch my attention since my shift a year back, but the idea of doing anything with them, just didn't appeal to me. For as long as I could remember, I had eagerly waited for my future mate, and I have kept myself for her too. Call me a boy, but I truly hoped to have and share something great, with whomever the moon goddess had chosen for me.

I wanted to give her parts of me, that no other woman has ever had. My heart, my soul, my body. So, having flings and meaningless sex with these women who literally threw themselves at me, was simply not possible.

'Ryan!'. My Beta; Philip's voice filtered through our mindlink. 'Do you realize that the king and his beta are already at the arena? The Honourables and the council chiefs are present as well, and it is disrespectful to keep them waiting. Remember this is the first festival you're hosting as Alpha. You don't want to mess things up.'

'I would be at the arena shortly'. I muttered, before closing off my mindlink. I was under a lot of pressure to act perfectly, and it was becoming frustrating.

Don't get me wrong, I have always wanted to be Alpha. But a part of me would always feel guilty over how my parents had fooled the pack, and made them believe my mother was a werewolf all these years. And because of that, I had to work extra hard in regaining the trust of my pack. Being a hybrid had gone a long way in solidifying my position as alpha, but I still felt like I had to do more.

Shaking my head to rid myself off these plaguing thoughts, I walked to the mirror and looked over my outfit. Loving my appearance, I released a small smile and made my way out of my chambers.

The moment I stepped out, the guards stationed around my chambers, followed me behind. As we walked to the festival ground, the noise became more amplified, creating a nolstagic feeling. I missed my parents. I would always be thankful for the gift of Ralia, because she was the only family I had now. Philip and his father as well. It honestly wouldn't be such a bad idea for my mate to come along now. Someone with whom I could begin a new family.